So far behind on updates.  This is the last one for tonight.

M is co-hosting Spin and Tonic at the North Door tomorrow night. Gin cocktails and brilliant music.

In the last few days I went to a fashion show, a documentary screening, and the ballet.  Most of which was free or at a discount.

The fashion show- Wednesday I took time out of my evening to check out the Fabricker pre-sale event and  Savanahred’s fashion show.   I had to set an alarm to make sure I left on time but it was definitely worth it to support a local designer and the glimmer of hope that is a new fabric store in Austin.

The documentary- It has been a while since I went to an AFS screening. Thursday night I went to see Thunder Soul.  It played SXSW a few years ago but I missed it.  Jamie Foxx picked up the project so hopefully it will see a decent nationwide run.   I treated myself to dinner and a movie.

The ballet-  I heard about Ballet Austin’s Mozart project on the radio yesterday and completely dropped the ball on procuring tickets. I lucked out as a surfed Facebook this afternoon.  Someone had an extra matinee ticket.   The project involved 3 acts: Classical, Updated, and Remixed.  Graham Reynold’s section was my favorite, musically.  But the DJ Spooky remix section was a multi-media explosion.

I think I spent a grand total of $7 ($21 if you include my dinner).  Not bad at all.

After prepping and enduring a crazy weekend of work (2 garage sales back to back for 2 different people along with an extremely last minute custom job). I decided that it was time for a break.  I was NOT working this weekend.   If I were magic, I would have managed to get myself out of a work trip to Texarkana as well.

The week moved quickly. Bridal fittings, Texarkana, planning my outfit for a wedding over the weekend.  The light at the end of the tunnel was the midnight showing of Cowboys and Aliens.  I am not a big fan of alien films but I do enjoy a good western.  Since she show just came out, I will not give out any spoilers.  Just know that the action starts 2 minutes in and keeps you on the edge of your seat.  It could use a few plot adjustments (or maybe a less tired version of me viewing it).

Friday I wrapped up a few things related to changing my address.  Then it was off to the very fancy Violet Crown Cinema.  Front row seats (best seats ever) to Beats, Rhymes and Life: the Travels of a Tribe Called Quest.  Yay for 90s hip hop and documentaries. Part of me wonders if they will be touring or releasing an album in the wake of the film.  Only time will tell.  IN the meantime, check out the trailer.

It’s that time of year when a mysterious allergen makes us all feel like crap.  It happened to 2.0 last year this time.  Sadly, it was me this year.  I felt fine earlier in the day.  I made some roasted red bell hummus with smoked sea salt to take to M and 2.0′s new place (Fancytown).  We snacked and had a few beers before going to Stubb’s to see Thermals and Matt and Kim.  We made it to Stubb’s in time to get a good spot (near the parents of the sea of underage kids).  Then two songs into the Thermals set, I started to feel sick.  Then it got worse.

I started having flashbacks of the Middle East show last year.  It started the same way.  Blackouts, dizziness, nausea…  I was not going to be sick. I got sick at two shows last year.  There would be no puking in 2011.

I am not sure how I did it, but I managed to stumble towards the alley of port-o-potties.  After that I found myself some water and texted M to let her know where I was.

I spent the rest of the show in the back  (with a pretty awesome view but I still felt like crap).  The Thermals were great.  Sadly, I can’t say the same for Matt and Kim.  I am glad they are making money but I miss their old sound.  This stuff sounds overproduced.  Or maybe I’ve just outgrown them.

I am a little behind schedule on posting this.  Yes, M and I were there.  No, it was not a crazy night.  We took it easy and enjoyed the show.  We all laughed at how ironic it was that we were  listening to the band rant about the Suburbs taking over while we watched them perform with a perfect view of the sprawl (and a Dillard’s).

This will probably be my first and last show at the Backyard.  The parking and the sound are in need of serious improvement.

I wasn’t sure about the set list after the show but I listened to it on my ipod at work the next day and made it so much more sense. Take another listen.  Look at the photo (imagine a view of the mall in the distance).

1. Month of May
2. Rebellion (Lies)
3. Neighborhood #2 (Laika)
4. Haiti
5. City With No Children
6. Rococo
7. Intervention
8. Suburbs
9. Suburbs (continued)
10. Suburban War
11. Keep the Car Running
12. No Cars Go
13. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
14. We Used to Wait
15. Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)

ENCORE
16. Ready to Start
17. Wake Up
18. Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

Photo c/o Austinist by Pooneh Ghana

Look at the photo (imagine a view of the mall in the distance).

Cross your fingers that they will play a secret show during ACL.

I managed to make it to the very last night of the Fusebox Festival. Reggie Watts is amazing. He also wins the award for the best mad scientist afro.

REGGIE WATTS: IMPROVISED DECONSTRUCTION from Ronen V on Vimeo.

This was year 7 of volunteering my way to platinum. I I took 2 weeks off from work and this time around I stayed at my own place (Yay for living close to downtown!).

(You should go back and read the daily recaps. I put this stuff out on the internet for you, little readers)

Total # of bands: ~11 Theophilus London, Foster the People, Noah and the Whale, Portugal. the Man,  Charles Bradley and the Menahan Street Band,  TV on the Radio , Ellie Goulding, Smith Westerns,  Matt and Kim,  J. Roddy Walston and The Business,and Wanda Jackson.

Total # of movies: 19 ( the Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye, Little Deaths, Documentary Shorts,  Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey, Super,  Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop, Greatest Movie Ever Sold, Narrative 2, Medium Cool, Something Ventured,  El Bulli: Cooking in Progress, Fambul Tok, Blacktino, Hesher, the Other F Word, Our Day will Come, A Matter of Taste: Serving up Paul Liebrandt, Outside Industry: The Story of SXSW, and PressPausePlay.

Total $ spent: ~61 tips, 2 dinners and a Go Local card.

Carbon Footprint: I biked at least 58 miles (from my house to downtown is about 7 miles round trip).  The car was used once during the two week period (I was lazy and drove to the Alamo Lamar).

And now for the Rants/Raves (mostly rants though). (more…)

Yesterday morning I was so tired that I debated if I wanted to finish out this race.  I made breakfast, wrote for a bit and decided to see my 18th film.  It was the documentary about SXSW.  I was surprised that the machine has survived all of these years with the amount of growth.

Since it was the last day, I decided that I should go see some music and attempt to find M (I think I hung out with her once in the last week).  Wall to wall people and no bike parking (People go home, I would like my city back).  Luckily the line for the party at Stubb’s moved quickly in comparison to the hunt for something to lock my bike to.

I walked in during the end of the Bravery’s set (not a fan).  I grabbed a beer and found M. The next band was really good.  J. Roddy Walston and The Business.  M saw them the night before and said I should check them out.  I stayed for Wanda Jackson.  I was curious if she had given into the machine and altered her sound.  Nope.  She was the same as always, sass, jet black hair and a fringed jacket.

After Wanda’s set and 3 beers I headed back to the ACC for air conditioning and a film.   PressPausePlay.  Netflix this one.  It talked a lot about the film and music industry being diluted with artists who make art because they have the tools, but most of them just don’t have  the human aspect.  My thoughts exactly. There are a lot of bands out there that have made a name for themselves on the internet but they just can’t put on a good live show.  This is why I spent most of this SXSW in the movie theater.  I wanted to feel something.

I made another pass at Style X.  This time it was the fashion show.  I was curious to see if there was anything new and innovative.  Other than the awesome boots from Helm, the only thing that I liked was a yellow jacket (I need to find out who the designer was).

I checked in with M after the show and headed to Bar Congress for dinner with 2.0 and his friends from out of town.  After dinner I made the executive decision to bike home.  I wanted to shower and wash the SXSW out of my hair.

Free stuff: 3beers

Money Spent: $3 on tips and $23 on dinner

I decided to stay in and write for a bit.  I checked in with my mom (to let her know that I didn’t get hit by a car on St. Patty’s day).  I looked at the schedule and decided that there was nothing worth biking into town for until about 2.

Movie time.  #17 was A Matter of Taste: Serving up Paul Liebrandt.  If you are into food and art, check it out.  After the film I explored the convention center.  I was curious about Style X and I was tempted to go to the 70s house of porn American Apparel Garage Sale.  It was Style X’s first year so I didn’t have high expectations.  I had also surveyed some of my artist friends and it turns out that many locals were rejected (there was also a pricey booth fee).  I am curious how Style X was curated,  I may have to interview the man behind it at some point.  I’ve been to his store and this was not what I expected.  There was a mix of corporate (Keds), out of town vendors, and one or two locals. [BTW.  I know that it is really hard to spend a whole day in your booth vendors.  I've been there, but please, please find reps that know your products.  Yesterday some guy tried to sell me glasses and he said that they had a deal going one price for all prescriptions.  I told him that my eyesight was bad (not eligible for lasik bad) and he said that it didn't matter.  I double checked with the owner and he said that I would probably have to pay extra.]

After a disappointing stroll, I left the convention center in search of free beer.  I headed to  Fader because I was curious about Smith and Westerns and I wanted to see Matt and Kim.  I found a place to lock the bike and stood in line for about 5 minutes before someone came up to us and said the line was closed and that no one would be allowed in the rest of the night.  I decided to stick around.  They say that every year. Crowd turnover happens after every band.

…30 minutes later, I am in.  Fiat Fader was ok.  I still miss the Levi’s Fader though.  Specifically, the one that was at Youthworks (aka The Honeycomb Hideout).  After last nights trampling, I decided to steer clear of the front.  Matt+Kim= Mosh Pit (You would think that they would be more careful after Matt messed up his back a few years ago.  Nope)  Great Show.  I look forward to seeing them play this summer with the Thermals.

I biked to the ACC after the show to charge my phone and check in with a few people.  I was on the other side of tired.  I decided to go home early.  I was in bed by 10:30.

Free stuff: 2 beers and 2 bottles of water

Money Spent: $3 on tips

My tolerance for “special” people is tanking.  I don’t know if it is related to the string of violent films I have seen or what,.  My field notes from TV on the Radio at Stubb’s say the following: To the girl with the “serenity” tattoo on the back of her neck,  I have all I can do not go go Rainn Wilson on your ass with my bike wrench. [For those of you who don't know, that is a reference to Super.  Watch the trailer.  I am glad a wrote that down.   In reality, I would turn her in to security.  I would tell them that she was a danger to herself and that she was probably on drugs.  Why the passive aggressive approach?  Umm, APD doesn't like brown people.] I think that my surrounding concert mates would have liked to have a go at all the drunkards who felt the need to mosh around to a band that deserves more respect.

Let’s rewind to the start of my day. (more…)